經通國際智慧產權事務所

The Work Manual is a guide for the Trade Marks Registry in relation to examination of applications for registration and practice in other proceedings under the Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559). The information contained is not adapted to any particular person's circumstances and many details, which may be relevant to particular circumstances, have been omitted. Accordingly, it cannot be relied upon to be a complete and authoritative guide and should not be quoted as or considered to be a legal authority. Full consideration must be given to all the relevant factors and each case must be considered on its merits.

The Work Manual is intended to reflect the registry's practice and it will be subject to

In the Work Manual, unless otherwise stated,

• "the Ordinance" means the Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559); 
• "the Rules" means the Trade Marks Rules (Cap. 559 sub. leg.); changes from time to time.
• "section [#]" refers to the relevant section in the Trade Marks Ordinance (Cap. 559); and 
• "rule [#]" refers to the relevant rule in the Trade Marks Rules (Cap. 559 sub. leg.).

Current list of chapters
(arranged in alphabetical order)

• Absolute grounds for refusal (7.10.2016)
• Addition of opponents
• Address for service and change of name, address or address for service (7.5.2004)
• Agents (7.5.2004)
• Alteration of registered trademarks (29.12.2006)
• Amendment of applications (1.1.2007)
• Amendment of pleadings (10.12.2004)
• Appeals against decisions of the Registrar (14.10.2016)
• Applications for extension of time (26.5.2006)
• Assents by personal representatives (20.8.2007)
• Assignments of registered trademarks and applications (26.5.2006)
• Case Management Conference (23.3.2004)
• Certification and collective marks (1.1.2007)
• Certified copies
• Claim to priority (23.9.2016)
• Classification (4.1.2017)
• Colour marks (23.9.2016)
• Computation of time for filing at the Registry (15.7.2016)
• Computation of time for service of documents between parties
• Consent, honest concurrent use and other special circumstances (8.11.2016)
• Consolidation of proceedings
• Correction of errors or omissions by the Registrar (30.9.2009)
• Cross search list (4.1.2017)
• Declaration of invalidity of registration of trademark, collective or certification mark
• Defensive trademarks (29.12.2006)
• Deficiencies checking (23.9.2016)
• Directions
• Division of applications
• Evidence (14.10.2016)
• Examination of applications
• Foreign words, letters or characters
• Geographical origins (3.6.2011)
• Hearings (24.8.2012)
• Intervention (25.5.2007)
• Language (22.8.2014)
• Letters and numerals (1.4.2016)
• Licences in respect of registered trademarks and applications
• Merger of applications and registrations (7.2.2014)
• Movement marks and holograms (3.1.2014)
• Names, signatures and images of individuals; fictitious character, titles of books, films and songs (28.11.2014)
• Names and images of buildings, companies, clubs, etc. (6.2.2004)
• Objections and opposition to change of classification of goods or services
• Objections to amendment of applications for trademarks
• Opposition or objection to removal of matter from the register
• Opposition to registration (11.7.2014)
• Orders of court transferring registered trademarks and applications
• Pattern marks
• Procedure where leave is sought to file further evidence (7.2.2014)
• Processing of pleadings and evidence (03.6.2005)
• Relative grounds for refusal (12.3.2010)
• Renewal and restoration (19.6.2009)
• Revocation of registration on grounds of non-use (5.6.2009)
• Revocation of registration (including defensive, collective and certification marks) on grounds other than non-use (5.6.2009)
• Scope of searches - relative grounds for refusal (24.9.2004)
• Search (15.3.2005)
• Security for costs (24.3.2005)
• Security interests over registered trademarks and applications (28.3.2003)
• Series of trademarks (23.9.2016)
• Service of pleadings and evidence
• Shape marks (1.1.2007)
• Slogans and phrases (20.10.2006)
• Sound marks (24.10.2008)
• Stay of proceedings (15.10.2004)
• Substitution of parties
• Surrender of registered trademark
• Taxation of costs (10.4.2015)
• Time limits in the examination process (14.5.2010)
• Transitional arrangements (15.10.2003)
• Transitional provisions for proceedings before Registrar (25.5.2007)
• Variation and rectification of registration (12.2.2010)
• Where the application is to be made

Previous versions of chapters amended since 01 August 2007
Please note that these chapters are no longer in force.

Intellectual Property Department

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region